Parent-child feeding practices in a developing country: Findings from the Family Diet Study

Wai Yew Yang; Tracy Burrows; Lesley MacDonald-Wicks; Lauren T Williams; Clare E Collins; Winnie Siew Swee Chee

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.037

Parent-child feeding practices in a developing country: Findings from the Family Diet Study

Appetite. 2018 Jun 1:125:90-97. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.037. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Authors

Wai Yew Yang¹, Tracy Burrows², Lesley MacDonald-Wicks³, Lauren T Williams⁴, Clare E Collins⁵, Winnie Siew Swee Chee⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: waiyew.yang@uon.edu.au.
² School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: tracy.burrows@newcastle.edu.au.
³ School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: lesley.wicks@newcastle.edu.au.
⁴ School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD 4222, Australia. Electronic address: lauren.williams@griffith.edu.au.
⁵ School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: clare.collins@newcastle.edu.au.
⁶ Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: winnie_chee@imu.edu.my.

PMID: 29408380
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.037

Abstract

Background and aims: Given the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in Malaysia, examination of family environmental factors is warranted. Reviews from developed countries report inconsistent findings on the relationship between parental-child feeding practices and child weight-related health outcomes. The current study aimed to examine parent-child feeding practices by familial-child characteristics in Malaysia.

Materials and method: The Family Diet Study was conducted with urban Malay families and included a child aged 8-12 years and their main carer(s). Seven domains of parent-child feeding practices were assessed using the child feeding questionnaire and familial demographics, including socio-economic status, child anthropometry and dietary intake were collected. Inferential statistics were used to explore the relationships between variables.

Results: Of the 315 families enrolled, 236 completed all measures, with the majority of parent-reporters being mothers (n = 182). One-third of the children were classified as overweight/obese. Three domains of parent-child feeding practices had median scores of 4.0 out of 5.0 [concern about child overweight (CCO) (Interquartile range (IQR): 3.3, 4.7); pressure-to-eat (PTE) (IQR: 3.3, 4.5) and food monitoring (IQR: 3.0, 5.0)]. The domain of 'perceived child overweight' was positively associated with child age (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Children who were overweight (F = 37.4; p < 0.001) and under-reported energy intake (F = 13.1; p = 0.001) had higher median scores for the parental perception of risk of child being overweight. Median scores for the CCO and PTE domains were significantly higher in low-income families (F = 7.87; F = 9.75; p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusion: Malay parents in this present study are concerned about their child's weight, particularly for those overweight. Family size, household income, and child weight status significantly influence parent-child feeding practices. Further research examining the cultural context of family environmental factors related to childhood obesity is warranted within Malaysia.

Keywords: Body weight status; Child feeding practices; Demography; Dietary intake; Energy intake reporting; Family.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Weight
Child
Culture
Developing Countries
Diet / psychology*
Diet Surveys
Energy Intake
Feeding Behavior / psychology*
Female
Humans
Malaysia
Male
Parents / psychology*
Pediatric Obesity / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires